Cardiospermum named Green Lantern #3
by J McCombie
Title
Cardiospermum named Green Lantern #3
Artist
J McCombie
Medium
Photograph - Untouched
Description
This piece has been featured in the FAA Group, "Macro Marvels".
Cardiospermum is a genus of approximately 14 species in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, which are native to the American, Indian, and African tropics. The genus name is derived from the Greek words καρδία, meaning "heart," and σπέρμα, meaning "seed" and refers to the white heart-shaped pattern on the seed. The term “halicacabum” is translated from Greek meaning “salt barrel”. The appearance of the fruit that looks inflated is where its name is derived from in German “Ballonrebe” (balloon-vine). Common names of the members of this genus include Balloon Vine, Love in a Puff, Heartseed, and Heartseed Vine. These plants are classified as invasive species in parts of the Southern United States and South Africa, but is one among the "Ten Sacred Flowers of Kerala State in India, collectively known as Dasapushpam.
Inflated, papery, balloon-like fruits; Large teeth and lobes found on leaflets of the compound leaves; Forked tendrils borne at the base of inflorescences; Cardiosperm halicaca leaf close TX; Plant Height: C. halicacabum can grow up to 3m in height ; Prefers moist thickets, waste places, and riverbanks. Leaf: Woody annual, many-branched vine with bi-fid (forked) axillary tendrils that are used for climbing. Leaves are alternate and twice ternately compound. Leaflets bear toothed margins, are lanceolate in shape, 2-4cm in length, 1-2cm wide, and faintly pubescent with pinnate venation. Flower: Irregular flowers are borne in panicles. Each flower bears four sepals, two large and two small, four whitish petals 4mm long, and eight stamens. Petaloid appendages are at the base of each flower. The 3-celled ovary bears one ovule per cell. Fruit: An “inflated, green, papery capsule”, with 3 chambers, 3-7cm in diameter. The green seed pods then mature to a burnt orange colour to add interest. Cardiospermum seeds: Black, opaque, smooth with a white, finely porous heart–shaped spot at the micropyle. Measures 5mm in diameter. Seeds ripen from August to October. Capsules are dehiscent, suggesting the possibility of self-dispersal.
C. halicacabum has been used in the treatment of rheumatism, nervous diseases, stiffness of the limbs and snakebite. Leaves are crushed and made into a tea, which aids itchy skin. Salted leaves are used as a poultice on swellings. Young leaves can be cooked as vegetables. The leaf juice has been used as a treatment for earache as well.
Uploaded
November 15th, 2017
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